Category Archives: Toy Chest

It Takes a Village

Posted on April 14, 2016 by Shawn Nichols

In today’s final installment of Colin’s Toy Chest build I’d like to send a special shout out to the many people who made this build possible. ChuckM for helping miter the mouldings on the rickety miter saw at the shop, … Continue reading →

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Developing a Fondness for Milk Paint

Posted on April 12, 2016 by Shawn Nichols

During my last project I was extremely perplexed with the consistency of my milk paint. I think it was inexperience more than anything. This time I had a strange clarity, which gives credence to the old adage about getting off … Continue reading →

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Working on the Top

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Shawn Nichols

Two years ago I tried my hand at online ordering of wood from Shannon over at Hardwood to Go. I got one of those Surprise Packs hoping to get some small pieces to make cutting boards at our community woodshop. … Continue reading →

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The Case for Screws

Posted on March 25, 2016 by Shawn Nichols

With the butterfly keys safely keeping the panels in tact for the next hundred years or so, I moved on to putting the case together. Before we get into the details, I want to go through my case joinery thoughts. … Continue reading →

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Incorporating CNC Technology

Posted on March 21, 2016 by Shawn Nichols

One of the most attractive aspects of the inspirational toy chest was the personalization. I’ve never carved anything and I really wasn’t interested in doing it anyway. It’s a skill for another time. At the community shop I belong to … Continue reading →

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Butterflies on the Inside

Posted on March 9, 2016 by Shawn Nichols

Once the rabbets were cut, the next step was to assemble on the case. The wood had other ideas. I noticed the some additional checking in the middle a panel. Combining this with the bow I mentioned earlier, and the repair I’d … Continue reading →

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Coming to Terms with My Dado Stack

Posted on March 6, 2016 by Shawn Nichols

After taking my panels out of the clamps, I noticed a few problems developing: There was a pretty significant bow in the panels Some checking had started to develop on two of the panels I wasn’t sure if the wood … Continue reading →

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Transcending Four Generations

Posted on February 27, 2016 by Shawn Nichols

The past six weeks have been an intense toy chest build for my nephew’s first birthday. I constantly put these constraints on myself. I like the push of a deadline, the frantic pace when you screw up and know the end … Continue reading →

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Shameless Plug

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Shawn Nichols

My End Grain article is feature in the upcoming issue of Popular Woodworking Magazine as indicated here. I’m kinda pumped it’s in the same issue as the Traveling Tool Chest. Carry on…

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A Major Award

Posted on February 27, 2015 by Shawn Nichols

I found out yesterday I won the End Grain contest at Popular Woodworking Magazine. Winning the contest was just a bonus. I’m more excited about my piece on the Toy Chest Rebuild actually making the cut. Anyway, I thought I’d … Continue reading →

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